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Xinjiang's ancient fur skis amaze European tourists on modern skis (1/9)

2019-02-18 13:20:48 Xinhua Editor :Li Yan

$A man from Europe (left) skiing in Hemu, Xinjiang with modern skis and Hemu villager Mamani (right) on his traditional fur skis. (Photo/Xinhua) When Bruno arrived in Northwest China\'s Xinjiang with his modern, sleek snowsports equipment, he didn\'t expect to become amazed by local villagers\' ancient fur skis.$

A man from Europe (left) skiing in Hemu, Xinjiang with modern skis and Hemu villager Mamani (right) on his traditional fur skis. (Photo/Xinhua)

When Bruno arrived in Northwest China's Xinjiang with his modern, sleek snowsports equipment, he didn't expect to become amazed by local villagers' ancient fur skis.

Modern skis (above) and traditional fur skis (below). (Photo/Xinhua)

Fur skis, made of pine wood and horsehide, have a long history dating back more than 12,000 years.

The graining of the horsehide on such skis provides friction to help skiers climb mountains while enabling them to still glide smoothly downhill.

$Skiers place their snowboards outdoors before taking a rest. (Photo/Xinhua) One of Bruno\'s 10 fellow ski lovers has seen fur skis and snowboards in Siberia, which makes him wonder whether Xinjiang and Siberian ancestors exchanged traditions at some point in history. Bruno, a 59-year-old French man, has been skiing for decades. He and his fellows have set down their skis in more than 20 countries and regions.$

Skiers place their snowboards outdoors before taking a rest. (Photo/Xinhua)

One of Bruno's 10 fellow ski lovers has seen fur skis and snowboards in Siberia, which makes him wonder whether Xinjiang and Siberian ancestors exchanged traditions at some point in history.

Bruno, a 59-year-old French man, has been skiing for decades. He and his fellows have set down their skis in more than 20 countries and regions.

Mirbek, a villager from Hemu, making fur skis at home. (Photo/Xinhua)

But this was the first time Bruno and his team had skied in China. They stayed in Hemu, a village in Xinjiang, for 10 days for their winter holiday.

Skiing for more than two decades, most of them came from France and Switzerland, with the powder snow in Hemu attracting them to China.

Skiers enjoying their time in Hemu, Xinjiang. (Photo/Xinhua)

For these experienced ski lovers on modern skis, such ancient fur skis gave them a glimpse of the wisdom of local ancestors.

Nowadays, despite the world adopting modern snowsports equipment, villagers in Hemu still use fur skis to preserve traditions.

$Aerial photograph shows the snowscape in Hemu, Xinjiang. (Photo/Xinhua) Hemu is a very interesting place and it\'s fantastic skiing here, said Bruno. He believes it will become a popular destination among ski lovers in the future due to its stunning landscapes and good snow quality.$

Aerial photograph shows the snowscape in Hemu, Xinjiang. (Photo/Xinhua)

Hemu is a very interesting place and it's fantastic skiing here, said Bruno.

He believes it will become a popular destination among ski lovers in the future due to its stunning landscapes and good snow quality.